BGIM, 2017 Preseason Glimps

[kwc]

Memphis high school football opening week will include six super matchups

 

John Varlas , USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee Published 6:00 a.m. CT July 11, 2017 | Updated 6:00 a.m. CT July 11, 2017

   

(Photo: Nikki Boertman / File)

Too early to talk about high school football? Not in Memphis.

Shelby County took home four of the eight state championships up for grabs at last year's BlueCross Bowl in Cookeville and this year has the potential to be every bit as exciting. And fans won't have to wait long to see some compelling games.

Here's an early look at six tasty treats for Week 1 on Aug. 18. All games are at 7 p.m.

Ridgeway at MUS

Last season: Ridgeway 9-4; MUS 10-1

You need to be there because: These two teams — located just a short walk from one another — have met in each of the last two seasons. The Roadrunners won 28-14 in 2015 before the Owls took last year's contest, 40-22. Ridgeway is never short of playmakers and will have one of the state's best this season in Oklahoma commitment Kundarrius Taylor. MUS will counter with one of the area's strongest linebacking corps, led by Mr. Football winner Dorian Hopkins and Matthew Rhodes, along with two-way talent Maurice Hampton.

White Station at Briarcrest

Last season: White Station 7-5; Briarcrest 7-4

You need to be there because: Jackson Walker is playing. The Briarcrest junior threw for 1,943 yards and 19 touchdowns last year and has the makings of one of the state's best quarterbacks if he continues to progress. Running back Tyler Badie is ready to blossom and Omari Thomas is a handful up front. The Spartans return talented veterans Greg Williams (LB-RB), Garrett Sapp (TE) and Drew Lyons (QB) and have two youngsters garnering plenty of attention, WR Cincir Evans and massive o-lineman Ray Brooks.

Central at Melrose

Last season: Central 10-2; Melrose 3-7

You need to be there because: The big news in Orange Mound is the arrival of Teli White, who is hoping to help the Golden Wildcats find their mojo after a disappointing 2016 season. White's resume suggests he'll get it done; he won the last two 2A state titles and also finished runner-up twice during his time at Trezevant. The Warriors are back in 6A after a terrific 5A campaign and will have the talent to compete with the big boys. Four players — Mr. Football lineman winner Trevis Hopper, defensive end Eric Gregory and receivers Darin Turner and Shamar Nash — boast FBS offers and not one of them is a senior.

Arlington at Raleigh-Egypt

Last season: Arlington 5-6; Raleigh-Egypt 10-2

You need to be there because: This would have been a mercy-rule game a couple of seasons ago but my, how things have changed in Raleigh. Major Wright's team had its best season ever in 2016, winning their its first nine to capture the region title before falling in the second round of the 3A playoffs. Arlington boasts a rare luxury, a four-year starting quarterback in Tate Kolwyck (2,560 yards, 30 touchdowns).

Cordova vs. East at the Fairgrounds

Last season: Cordova 12-2; East 13-2

You need to be there because: Despite significant personnel losses, both teams have the potential to be strong once again. Cordova features three FBS players in lineman Jerome Carvin, receiver Jacolby Hewitt and running back Jeremy Banks while East has a pair of budding stars in Tarique Barnes and Justin Lynn and some massive linemen. The Mustangs lost last year's opener to the Wolves 27-13 before rebounding to win the 4A state championship.

Mitchell at Whitehaven

Last season: Mitchell 8-5; Whitehaven 15-0

Why you need to be there: If you still want more action after Friday, the annual Whitehaven Classic concludes on Saturday with this backyard brawl. The teams have met 12 times since 2002 and Whitehaven has won all 12, including 33-0 last season. But neighborhood pride is at stake and few teams play Whitehaven as tough as Mitchell does. And they'll probably be selling smoked sausages which is always a good thing.  

Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas

[BlackHavenSenator]

Can't Wait

[kwc]

25 questions for the Memphis high school football season

John Varlas , USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee Published 8:00 a.m. CT July 18, 2017 | Updated 8:00 a.m. CT July 18, 2017

 Whitehaven's Rayshad Williams has verbally committed to Vanderbilt.

 

(Lausanne's coach Locastro)

 

The high school football season always brings questions. Here are 25 to consider as we edge closer to the season opener Aug. 18.

 

1. After local teams won four of the eight state championships last season, will the high school football axis in Tennessee continue pivoting toward Memphis?

2. Despite losing 35 seniors — including Mr. Football lineman winner Aubrey Miller and Kylan Watkins, who was runner-up in the back category — can Whitehaven repeat in 6A? 

3. Is there any team in the state with a pair of sophomore linebackers better than Whitehaven's Bryson Eason and Martavius French?

4. Will Lausanne be the team to end Whitehaven's 17-game winning streak against Shelby County competition? The Lynx return plenty of talent from last year's undefeated Division II-A championship team and visit the Tigers on Sept. 8.

5. After running for 2,215 yards and scoring 42 times as a sophomore, will Lausanne's Eric Gray make it two straight Mr. Football awards?

 

Lausanne running back Eric Gray (1) gets past Knoxville Webb defensive back Davis Delozier (5) to score the winning touchdown on a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter of the Division II-A championship game Dec. 1, 2016. (Photo: Mark Humphrey / AP)

 

6. East lost a lot of talent to graduation from its 4A title team, but will Commercial Appeal Coach of the Year Marcus Wimberly be able to keep working wonders at his alma mater?

7. Can any 4A team in the state boast a pair of linemen with the raw size and potential of East's John Wrister (6-foot-8, 320 pounds) and Sean Adams (6-5, 333)?

8. After coaching Trezevant to the past two 2A championships, can Teli White work the same magic at title-hungry Melrose?

9. Will major personnel losses be too much to overcome at Cordova, which reached the 6A semifinals in 2016?

10. Or will talented returnees like lineman Jerome Carvin, running back Jeremy Banks and receiver Jacolby Hewitt be enough to keep the Wolves in title contention?

 

Cordova will be relying on players such as running back Jeremy Banks to return to the 6A playoffs. (Photo: File / The Commercial Appeal)

 

11. Central had a terrific 10-2 season and returns lots of talent, led by Mr. Football lineman winner Trevis Hopper. But how will the Warriors fare after moving from 5A to 6A?

12. Is Kundarrius Taylor of Ridgeway the most explosive player in town? The Oklahoma commitment has a great case after scoring 26 touchdowns last year via the air, the ground, on punt and kick returns and on defense.

13. After capturing fans' imagination by winning its first nine games last year, how will Raleigh-Egypt respond now that the target is firmly on its back in 3A?

 

Coach Major Wright led Raleigh-Egypt to a 9-0 start last season. (Photo: Jim Weber / The Commercial Appeal)

 

14. CBHS is 17-7 in two seasons under Thomas McDaniel; will this be the year it breaks through the playoff ceiling and finally makes it back to Cookeville?

15. Is Matthew Rhodes of MUS fully recovered from last year's leg injury and ready to rejoin Mr. Football winner Dorian Hopkins to form one of the state's top linebacker duos?

16. Who will lead the area's passing charts? Three of the top five from last year — Jack Grissom of FACS (2,812 yards), Arlington's Tate Kolwyck (2,560) and Briarcrest's Jackson Walker (1,943) — are back.

17. Will quarterbacks be foolish enough to test Germantown defensive back Jaylin Williams, who has committed to Ole Miss and has all-state written all over him?

18. Is Caleb Johnson of MAHS the area's best Mr. Football candidate in Division I? He ran for 1,959 yards in 2016 and will carry as often as coach Cedric Miller allows.

 

MAHS' Caleb Johnson ran for 1,959 yards in 2016. (Photo: File / The Commercial Appeal)

 

19. Will Douglass quarterback Jok Nebk (106.2 yards of total offense per game; 22 touchdowns) continue to be one of the city's best athletes you've probably never heard of?

20. Will former Nashville Ensworth man Jonas Rodriguez get ECS going in the right direction after a disappointing 2-9 season?

21. And will Whitehaven grad Gene Robinson be the man to guide Fairley back to success?

22. Tyler Turner is the fifth Olive Branch coach in the past five years; will he be the man to bring some much-needed stability to one of the area's traditional powers?

23. Are there any bigger shoes to fill than those of Chase Hayden, who is now at Arkansas after piling up more than 7,000 yards rushing and scoring 92 times for St. George's?

24. After combining to finish 0-30, will Manassas, Martin Luther King Prep and Sheffield break into the win column?

25. The TSSAA has added another division for this season with Fayette Academy, Rossville and Tipton-Rosemark now competing in the smallest DII classification. But are nine title games too many?

 

Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas.

Edited July 18, 2017 by kwc

[kwc]

I'm wondering what schools are looking at the two linebackers at MUS, as well as, the the DB, Maurice Hampton. I've heard that Maurice is D-1 material.

I'm also wondering what schools are looking at the two behemoth lineman at East High School. I've seen both and they are SEC caliber in every attribute. John Wrister at 6'-8" and 320 lbs is a monster who play both DT/NG and OT. Sean Adams at 6'-5" and 333 lbs is just as imposing playing at the guard position on the OL. Those are just a few ... but I know Ole Miss, Miss State, the U of M and others have to be recruiting these guys. 

[kwc]

Bumpity bump bump.

Edited August 14, 2017 by kwc